Left Bank Martini Review

Written by Helen Hackwell
on Wednesday, 25 September 2013.

Let me start this post with a little confession; I've never reviewed a candle before, or indeed any product where I'm required to rely solely on my use of adjectives to describe it. Fashion is pretty straightforward; style the item, wear it, photograph it and add accompanying text, always mindful that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and therefore I need only add fifty and let the photos do the talking instead. Not the case with a candle - I'm going to have to dig deep into my vocabulary of scented expressions and try to convey via this blog post just how lovely the fragrance of this candle actually is.

“Chatting over a Martini with your girlfriend. Trying on the latest fashions. The flirty fun you enjoyed on a weekend in Paris where everything is so hip and chic. The sweet mixed with some tang - romantic and edgy. Overlooking the banks of the Seine as the City of Lights settles into its evening rhythm...”

As far as a description for a candle goes, this one certainly takes the proverbial biscuit! It was no wonder that I jumped at the chance to review the Left Bank Martini candle from M&J London, if the name hadn't already won me over, the description certainly would have!

M&J London are specialists in handmade luxury candles that stay true to ideals of integrity and fairness to each other and to the environment as a whole. Their candles are produced using recycled glass tumblers, lead-free wick made of linen and cotton, soya wax mixed with essential oils and packaging printed with vegetable-dyes. Ethics and sustainability are firmly and foremost in mind for this up and coming business.

Their Left Bank Martini candle is part of their current range of six different fragrances and contains notes of elderflower, lemongrass, gooseberry and juniper. A strikingly fresh fragrance, this candle really does light up a room in more ways than one. The floral sweetness of the elderflower is complemented beautifully by the clean notes of lemongrass and makes this candle ideal for any room in the house. I currently have mine in the bedroom as the aroma reminds me of chic hotel rooms in the city and I’d like my bedroom to aspire to the same standard.

One of my favourite things about this candle is nothing to do with the scent, it’s actually the clean burning concept that stole the show. A peculiar admission perhaps, but when you've just spent the last few weeks painting and decorating a house where the previous owners were prolific candle burners, you’ll realise the advantage of a clean burning candle. No smoky ceilings or toxic vapours here!

Their dedication to ethical living and values has also led them to donate money from every candle sold to Eaves charity for vulnerable women, a move I greatly admire.

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